Automatic folding step stool



Sept, 8, 1931. R. c. HAYNE AUTOMATIC FOLDING STEP STOOL Filed April 10;

I lvwe ntoz Poss/PT 6. HFIY/VE Patented Sept. 8, 1931 a UNITEDsTATEsEPATENT, OFFICEY ROBERT C. HAYNE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK AUTOMATICFOLDING STEP STOOL Application filed April 10,

in particular to a type in which, when the.

top is raised, the lower step will be moved to position to adapt thestool'for use as a step ladder.

A particular object of my invention is to provide a labor savingconstruction in the nature of a combination stool and step ladder, theoperation of which is automatic so that when the device is to beconverted for use as a stool, it will automatically fold from its stepladder forming position and the lower step thereof will be foldedcompletely out of the way so that the device may perform all of thefunctions of a stool.

A; further object of my invention is to provide a combination stool andstep ladder which is convenient in use and which eliminates thenecessity of stooping over to fold in the bottom step after the devicehas served its purpose as a step ladder, the same being arranged so thatwhen the lower step is folded up by a movement of the foot, the top willalso fold down to cover the top step upon which one may stand so thatthe top forms a; protection to the clothing when the device has beenconverted for use as a stool.

Other important objects of my invention are the provision of a stepladder in which the maximum standing space is provided, the space beingsufiicient so that a woman wearing high heel shoes may stand on eitherthe upper or lower step, with the entire foot, this construction varyingfrom other types of combination stools and step ladders in which spaceis only provided for the accommodation of the sole of the shoe and notfor.

the heel, which is dangerous and does not give the stability desired.

With the foregoing and other objects in 1930. Serial No. 443,116.

. Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a. combination step ladder andstool constructed in accordance with my invention, the lower stepthereof being shown folded and the device being illustrated as it wouldappear when ready for use as a stool.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the device with the topraised and the lower step projected, the top and the step beingconnected through the medium of a suit- 0 able mechanism for providingautomatic operation of the parts, and

Figure ,3 is a plan view of the combined stool and step ladder as isshown in Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 5 in dicates the legs of the stoolcombination which are joined by the rungs 6 and are provided with theprotective feet 7 which prevent slipping of the stool and marring of thefloor. The upper ends of-the legs 5 are secured in any suitable mannerto the top step 8 upon which is disposed, a rubber mat 9, preferablyhaving a corrugated surface so that slipping of one using the article asa step ladder is guarded against.

To the top step 8 which is rectangular in shape, as illustrated inFigure '3, there is secured as by the hinges 10 thereto, the top 11which constitutes the top of the stool when the same is, used forseating purpose.

The top step 8 is also provided with the rubber stops 12 upon which thetop 11 rests when the'same is closed. The top 11- is provided with abracketarm 13 to which is pivoted the link 14-. The link is offset as atv15 to engage the end of a strip 16 secured in any suitable manner tothe side pieces 17 of the lower step 18. This lower step 18 is alsoprovided with a rubber mat 19 to prevent accidental slipping of onemounting the step stool. The side pieces 17 of the-lower step 18 arejoined together through the medium of the rung 2O and the top piece 21and are pivoted on the rod 22, which is preferably made of metal andextends between the legs 5 of the stool. Thestrip 16, as has been beforenoted, is secured to one of the side pieces 17 preferably beneath-thetop piece 21 and its point of pivotal connection with the link 14 issuch that, being beyond the pivotal rod 22 around which the step 18 isarranged to revolve, the closing or opening of the top 11 will throw thelower step in and out as illustrated, with a minimum of efiort, so that5 a woman operating the device to either open or close it, can do soquickly and easily.

When the step 18 is folded, as illustrated in Figure 1, it is completelyout of the Way and the top 11 being folded down, provides a seat thatcovers the rubber mat 9 so that soiling of the clothing is prevented.The back 11,'when in its raised position, also affords a support for thehand and arm to the one mounting the step stool.. The automatic foldingfeature of the stool is an important consideration inasmuch as the lowerstep 18 may be kicked up to closed position by inserting the toe of theshoe beneath the rung 20 and the raising movement of the lower step 18will, through the medium of the link 14, close the top 11, it beingunderstood that the raising of the top 11 through the link 14 willextend the lower step 18 to the position illustrated in Figure 2.

It is evident that I have provided a stool of sturdy construction whichmay be used as a step ladder and in which a number of natural steps areemployed properly spaced and of sufficient width to give room for thefeet of the person using the same so that either of the steps may beoccupied without danger of falling.

Also, the automatic operation of the step stool is performed with littleeffort and con- 5 siderable convenience;

While I have illustrated and described my invention with some degree ofparticularity, I realize that in practice various alterations thereinmay be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the appended claims What I claim is 1. A combination ladder andstool com rising a supporting structure including egs, a top stepmountedat the upper ends of the legs, a stool top pivoted to the supportingstructure, a step pivoted to the supporting structure below said stooltop, and means connecting said stool top and the step whereby the latteris automatically extended when the stool top is raised.

2. A combination ladder and stool comprising a supporting structureincluding legs, a top step mounted at the upper ends of the 55; legs, astool top pivoted to the supporting structure, a step pivoted to the suporting structure below said stool top, a brac et arm on the stool topand on the step, and a link connecting said bracket arms whereby thestep is automatically extended when the stool top is raised.

3. In a device of the character described,

said upper step, a pivoted top constituting a cover for said upper step,brackets providing projections on the top and on the lower step and alink connecting said projections whereby when the top is 0 en, the lowerstep is moved from beneath sai upper step.

4. A. combination ladder and stool comprising a supporting structureincluding legs, a stool top pivoted to the supporting structure, a steppivoted to the supporting structure below said stool top, and meansconnecting said stool top and step whereby the step is operated when thetop is moved.

5. A combination ladder and stool comprising a supporting structureincluding legs, a stool top pivoted to the supporting structure, a steppivoted to the supporting struc ture below saidstool top, a link, andmeans connecting the ends of the link with the top and ste respectivelywhereby the step is operated by a movement of said'top.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this31st day of March, 1930.

ROBERT C. HAYNE. [L. 5.]

an upper step, legs supporting the step, a

lower step pivoted between said legs, and movable to a position beneathor from under

